Cluster tool and method for process integration in manufacturing of a photomask

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for process integration in manufacture of a photomask are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cluster tool suitable for process integration in manufacture of a photomask including a vacuum transfer chamber having coupled thereto at least one hard mask deposition chamber and at least one plasma chamber configured for etching chromium. In another embodiment, a method for process integration in manufacture of a photomask includes depositing a hard mask on a substrate in a first processing chamber, depositing a resist layer on the substrate, patterning the resist layer, etching the hard mask through apertures formed in the patterned resist layer in a second chamber; and etching a chromium layer through apertures formed in the hard mask in a third chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method for photomaskfabrication using a hard mask, and to a cluster tool and method forprocess integration in manufacturing of a photomask.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the manufacture of integrated circuits (IC), or chips, patternsrepresenting different layers of the chip are created by a chipdesigner. A series of reusable masks, or photomasks, are created fromthese patterns in order to transfer the design of each chip layer onto asemiconductor substrate during the manufacturing process. Mask patterngeneration systems use precision lasers or electron beams to image thedesign of each layer of the chip onto a respective mask. The masks arethen used much like photographic negatives to transfer the circuitpatterns for each layer onto a semiconductor substrate. These layers arebuilt up using a sequence of processes and translate into the tinytransistors and electrical circuits that comprise each completed chip.Thus, any defects in the mask may be transferred to the chip,potentially adversely affecting performance. Defects that are severeenough may render the mask completely useless. Typically, a set of 15 to30 masks is used to construct a chip and can be used repeatedly.

A mask is typically a glass or a quartz substrate that has a layer ofchromium on one side. The mask may also contain a layer of siliconnitride (SiN) doped with molybdenum (Mb). The chromium layer is coveredwith an anti-reflective coating and a photosensitive resist. During apatterning process, the circuit design is written onto the mask byexposing portions of the resist to ultraviolet light, making the exposedportions soluble in a developing solution. The soluble portion of theresist is then removed, allowing the exposed underlying chromium to beetched. The etch process removes the chromium and anti-reflective layersfrom the mask at locations where the resist was removed, i.e., theexposed chromium is removed.

Another mask utilized for patterning is known as a quartz phase shiftmask. The quartz phase shift mask is similar to the mask describedabove, except that alternating adjacent areas of quartz regions exposedthrough the patterned chromium layer are etched to a depth about equalto half the wavelength of light which will be utilized to transfer thecircuit patterns to a substrate during fabrication. Thus, as the lightis shown through the quartz phase shift mask to expose resist disposedon the substrate, the light impinging in the resist through one openingin the mask is 180 degrees out of phase relative to the light passingthrough the immediately adjacent opening. Therefore, light that may bescattered at the edges of the mask opening is cancelled out by the 180degree light scattering at the edge of the adjacent opening, causing atighter distribution of light in a predefined region of the resist. Thetighter distribution of light facilitates writing of features havingsmaller critical dimensions. Similarly, masks used for chromeless etchlithography also utilize the phase shift of light passing through quartzportions of two masks to sequentially image the resist, therebyimproving the light distribution utilized to develop the resist pattern.

A photoresist etch mask is used during plasma etching of at least onelayer during the fabrication of the photomask. As the photoresist isslightly etched during the etching process, dimensional control of thecritical dimensions of the photomask layers being etched suffers. Instructures having critical dimensions in excess of 10 μm, roughnessalong the edge of an aperture of the photoresist through which thestructure is etched is not of a magnitude to cause significant concern.However, as critical dimensions, particularly of the photomask itself,are reduced below about 5 μm and into the nanometer regime, edgeroughness of photoresist apertures is of a magnitude equal to that ofthe critical dimension itself, and thus, even slight variation isroughness may cause the critical dimensions to become out ofspecification. Moreover, since etching using a photoresist mask issubject to etch bias (enlargement of the resist aperture duringetching), the use of photoresist masks for fabricating criticaldimensions less than about 5 μm is extremely challenging to thefabricator as these problems result in non-uniformity of the etchedfeatures of the photomask and correspondingly diminishes the ability toproduce features having small critical dimensions using the mask. As thecritical dimensions of mask continue to shrink, the importance of etchuniformity increases.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved process andapparatus for photomask fabrication. To compliment the improvedphotomask fabrication process, there is also a need for an improvedcluster tool and method for process integration in manufacture ofphotomasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To improve photomask fabrication, an improved etch process utilizing amasking technique was developed and results in better dimensionalcontrol of features formed in a photomask. In order to realize thebenefits of the improved etch process, the fabrication process requiresadditional layers of materials to be deposited and processed as comparedto convention tools utilized in photomask fabrication. However, asadditional tools and the space consumed by the tools greatly increasethe cost of ownership, a system having the capability of performing allof the additional fabrication steps with minimal financial investment isalso provided.

In one embodiment, a photomask fabrication process includes patterning ahard mask on a filmstack including chromium, etching the chromium layerthrough the patterned photomask, in a processing chamber and removingthe hard mask within the processing chamber in which the chromium layerwas etched.

In other embodiments, a integrated substrate processing system (e.g.,cluster tool) and method for process integration in manufacture of aphotomask are provided. In one embodiment, a cluster tool suitable forprocess integration in manufacture of a photomask includes a vacuumtransfer chamber having coupled thereto at least one hard maskdeposition chamber and at least one plasma chamber configured foretching chromium.

In another embodiment, a method for process integration in manufactureof a photomask includes depositing a hard mask on a substrate in a firstprocessing chamber coupled to a cluster tool, depositing a resist layeron the substrate, patterning the resist layer, etching the hard maskthrough apertures formed in the patterned resist layer in a secondchamber coupled to the cluster tool, and etching a chromium layerthrough apertures formed in the hard mask in a third chamber coupled tothe cluster tool. In a further embodiment of the invention, the hardmask is removed in at least one of the second or third chambers using aplasma formed form an oxygen containing gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood byconsidering the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of one embodiment of an integratedsemiconductor substrate processing system (e.g., cluster tool) suitablefor practicing one embodiment of a method for fabricating a photomask;

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a flow diagram for a method offabricating a photomask in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A-3G depict a series of schematic, partial cross-sectional viewsof a film stack fabricated into a photomask accordance with the methodof FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3H-3J depict a series of schematic, partial cross-sectional viewsof a film stack fabricated into a photomask accordance with a method ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a flow diagram for another method offabricating a photomask;

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of achemical vapor deposition chamber that may be utilized with the systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a substrate support and reticle adapterof the chemical vapor deposition chamber of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of anetch reactor that may be utilized with the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 depicts a schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of aashing reactor that may be utilized with the system of FIG. 1.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of oneembodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments withoutfurther recitation.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlyexemplary embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention include an improved process forphotomask fabrication, and an improved cluster tool and method forprocess integration in manufacture of photomasks. The photomaskfabrication method includes forming an ultra-thin hard mask upon a filmstack that is processed into a photomask. The film stack generallyincludes a chromium containing layer and a quartz layer. The film stackmay additionally include a light-attenuating layer, such as a layercontaining molybdenum. In one embodiment, the hard mask material may bechosen from a material having a high selectivity to the underlying layerbeing etched, such as quartz and/or chromium containing layers. Inanother embodiment, the hard mask material may be chosen from a materialhaving an etch rate comparable to that of the underlying layer to beetched through the hard mask. As the hard masks of the present inventionare not laterally etched using the chemistries described herein,dimensional stability of apertures formed in the hard mask enablephotomask structures having critical dimensions in the order of lessthan 5 μm and into the nanometer regime to be accurately fabricated.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic plan view of an exemplary integratedsemiconductor substrate processing system (e.g., cluster tool) 100suitable for practicing one embodiment of a method for fabricating aphotomask of the present invention. The system 100 illustrativelyincludes a vacuum-tight central transfer chamber 104, an input/outputmodule (e.g., factory interface) 102, and a system controller 140. Inone embodiment, the transfer chamber 104 includes a plurality ofprocessing chambers and at least one load lock chamber 106 (two areshown in FIG. 1), which are coupled around a periphery of a centraltransfer chamber 104.

The load lock chambers 106 are utilized to transfer substrates between asubstantially atmospheric environment of the factory interface 102 and avacuum environment of the transfer chamber 104. The transfer chamber 104has a vacuum robot 130 disposed therein configured to transfersubstrates between the load lock chambers 106 and the various processchambers coupled to the transfer chamber 104.

The processing chambers coupled to the transfer chamber 104 generallyinclude at least one etch chamber configured to etch a hard mask, atleast one etch chamber configured to etch a chromium layer, and at leastone chemical vapor deposition chamber. In one embodiment, at least oneof the chemical vapor deposition chamber and the etch chambers, and/oranother processing chamber is capable of performing an ashing process,such as removal of the hard mask by exposure to a plasma formed from anoxygen containing gas. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, fourprocessing chambers are coupled to the transfer chamber 104 and includea first chamber 110 configured to deposit a hard mask material, a secondchamber 112 configured to etch the hard mask material, a third chamber114 configured to etch chromium, and a fourth chamber 116 configured toremove the hard mask material. Examples of etch chambers and ashingchambers suitable for use in the invention include TETRA®, TETRA® II,DPS® II, DPS® II HT, and AXIOM™ processing chambers available fromApplied Materials, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. Exemplary descriptions ofrespective exemplary embodiments of the processing chambers 110, 112,114, 116 are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 5-7.

In one embodiment, the factory interface 102 includes a metrology module126, at least one docking station to accept at least one front openingunified pod (FOUP) 108 and at least one substrate transfer (FI) robot132. Two FOUPs 108 are shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. Themetrology module 126 employs at least one non-destructive measuringtechnique suitable for measuring critical dimensions of structuresformed on the substrate. One suitable metrology module that may beadapted to benefit from the invention optically measures criticaldimensions and is available from Nanometrics, located in Milpitas,Calif. It is contemplated that other measuring tools suitable formeasuring critical dimensions may be alternatively employed. The FIrobot 132 is configured to transfer pre-processed and post-processedsubstrates between the FOUPs 108, the metrology module 126, and the loadlock chambers 106, and may be positionable along a track 118 to increasethe robots range of motion.

Alternatively, the metrology module 126 may be coupled directly to thetransfer chamber 104, for example, in place of one of the processingchambers 110, 112, 114, 116, or to another facet of the transfer chamber104. This configuration facilitates gathering critical dimension datawithout having to transfer the substrate out of the vacuum environment.It is also contemplated that two or more metrology modules 126 may beutilized, and that at least one metrology module may be positioned inthe atmospheric and vacuum sides of the system 100.

The system controller 140 is coupled to and controls the integratedprocessing system 100. The system controller 140 controls all aspects ofoperation of the system 100 using a direct control of chamber andapparatus of the system 100 or, alternatively, by controlling thecomputers (or controllers) associated with these chamber and apparatus.In operation, the system controller 140 enables data collection, alongwith feedforward and/or feedback of data obtained from the metrologymodule 126 to optimize the performance of the system 100 and facilitateholding design tolerances of photomask CDs.

The system controller 140 generally includes a central processing unit(CPU) 142, a memory 144, and support circuits 146. The CPU 142 may beone of any form of a general purpose computer processor that can be usedin an industrial setting. The support circuits 146 are conventionallycoupled to the CPU 142 and may comprise cache, clock circuits,input/output subsystems, power supplies, and the like. The softwareroutines, when executed by the CPU 142, transform the CPU into aspecific purpose computer (controller) 140. The software routines mayalso be stored and/or executed by a second controller (not shown) thatis located remotely from the system 100.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a flow diagram for a method 200 offabricating a photomask 320 as shown in FIGS. 3A-G in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 is generallystored in the memory 144, typically as a software routine. Although themethod 200 of the present invention is discussed as being implemented asa software routine, some or all of the method steps that are disclosedtherein may be performed in hardware as well as by the softwarecontroller. As such, the invention may be implemented in software asexecuted upon a computer system, in hardware as an application specificintegrated circuit or other type of hardware implementation, or acombination of software and hardware.

The method 200 begins at step 202, where a substrate 122 is transferredfrom one of the FOUP's 108 to the first process chamber 110 through oneof the load lock chambers 106. The substrate 122 generally comprises afilm stack 300 of the photomask structure being fabricated. The filmstack 300 includes an optically transparent silicon based material, suchas a quartz (i.e., silicon dioxide (SiO₂)) layer 302, having an opaquelight-shielding chromium layer 304, known as a photomask material,forming a patterned mask on the surface of the quartz layer 302. Thechromium layer 304 may be chromium and/or chromium oxynitride. Thesubstrate 122 may also include an attenuating layer 306 (shown inphantom), such as silicon nitride (SiN) doped with molybdenum (Mo) ormolybdenum silicon (MoSi), interposed between the quartz layer 302 andchromium layer 304, as shown in FIG. 3A.

At step 204, a hard mask layer 308 is deposited on the substrate 122utilizing a chemical vapor depositing process performed in the firstprocessing chamber 110, as shown in FIG. 3B. The hard mask layer 308 hasa thickness of, but not limited to, about 50 Åto about 1000 Å. The hardmask layer 308 may be chrome oxynitride, silicon oxynitride,silicon-rich oxide, silicon-rich nitride, silicon-rich oxy-nitride,titanium nitride, molybdenum silicide, and silicon carbide, including:SiC; SiCH; SiCOH; SiCNH; SiCONH; diamond-like carbon, carbon, tungsten,SiO₂, and Si₃N₄, among other suitable materials. The hard mask layer 308may also be a high-temperature inorganic carbon material, referred to asα-carbon. One process for depositing α-carbon material is available fromApplied Materials, Inc. under the trade name Advanced Patterning Film(APF™). Another α-carbon material is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/590,322, filed Jun. 8, 2000, which isincorporated by reference in it entirety. The α-carbon material may befurther doped with nitrogen (N₂) to improve the etch selectivity of theα-carbon material versus other materials used in the film stack 300.

In one embodiment, hard mask layer 308 is deposited by heating a gasmixture comprising one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas tothermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gasmixture to form an amorphous carbon layer. Suitable hydrocarboncompounds include gases having the general formula C_(x)H_(y), wherein xhas a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10. The gas mixture maybe heated to a temperature between about 100 to about 700° C.

In one embodiment, bias power at different frequencies supplied from twopower sources may be provided during deposition to engineer the stressof the deposited material, thereby improving the adhesion of the hardmask layer 308 to the underlying film. Particularly, as the criticaldimensions of the photomask approach the 45 nm range, poor adherence ofthe hard mask layer 308 which promotes etch bias will result inunacceptable transfer of CDs from the masking materials to thephotomask. For example, a total bias power of up to about 1000 Watts maybe provided in a frequency range between about 2 to about 27 MHz. Theratio of power between the higher frequency power source and the lowerfrequency power source may range from 100 percent to about zero percent,and from about zero percent to about 100 percent. It is alsocontemplated that the frequency may be tuned to higher and/or lowerfrequencies, depending on the film stack composition, the hard maskmaterial to be deposited, and the desired stress level in the depositedhard mask film.

In one embodiment, the hard mask layer 308 may include a dielectricanti-reflective coating (DARC) layer used to control the reflection oflight during a lithographic patterning process. Typically, the DARClayer comprises silicon dioxide (SiO₂), silicon oxynitride (SiON),silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), and the like. In one illustrative embodiment, ahard mask layer includes α-carbon film and a DARC layer having acombined thickness of about 1800 Angstroms.

At step 206, the substrate 122 having the hard mask layer 308 disposedthereon is removed from the first processing chamber 110 and transferredback through one of the load lock chambers 106 to one of the FOUP's 108.At step 208, the substrate 122 is removed from the system 100 to have apatterned photoresist mask 310 formed on the hard mask layer 308, ascommonly known in the art. At step 210, the substrate 122 having thepatterned photoresist mask 310 disposed thereon is returned to thesystem 100, as shown in FIG 3C.

Optionally, the substrate 122 having the patterned photoresist mask 310disposed thereon may be transferred from the FOUP 108 to the metrologymodule 126, at step 212. In the metrology module 126, the dimensions ofstructures defining the photoresist mask 310 are measured at step 214.To perform the measurements, the measuring tool may use at leastnon-destructive optical measuring techniques, such as spectroscopy,interferometry, scatterometry, reflectometry, ellipsometry, and thelike. The measured dimensions may include topographic dimensions,critical dimensions (CDs), thickness, profile angle, and the like. Theterm “critical dimensions” refers herein to the minimal widths of thestructure of the patterned mask 310 that define the apertures throughwhich the hard mask layer 308 will be etched. The measurements may beperformed on each substrate of a batch of the substrates, as well aswith pre-defined periodicity. In one embodiment, the metrology module126 obtains critical dimension measurements of the photoresist mask 310on each substrate 122. The measurements may be performed in a pluralityof regions of the substrate to obtain a statistically valid average CDmeasurement. The results of these measurements may be used in theintegrated semiconductor substrate processing system to determine therecipe of a trimming process, may be used as feedback information formodifying the photoresist mask forming process, or may be used asfeedforwad information for modifying the chromium etching process, formonitoring the process performance, quality control, or for other use.Examples of methods for controlling dimensions of the etched featuresusing the pre-trim measurements of the photoresist patterned masks aredisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/428,145, filed May 1, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No10/666,317, filed Sep. 19, 2003, which are herein incorporated byreference in there entireties. It is contemplated that CD measurementsmay be taken and used as described above after any of the etching stepsdescribed herein.

At step 216, the substrate 122 having the patterned photoresist mask 310disposed thereon is transferred from the FOUP 108 (or metrology module126) to the second process chamber 112 through one of the load lockchambers 106. At step 218, the hard mask layer 308 is etched using thepatterned photoresist mask 310 layer as an etch mask, as shown in FIG.3D.

In one embodiment wherein the hard mask layer 308 is formed from SiON,the hard mask layer 308 may be etched by providing tetrafluoride (CF₄)at a rate of 20 to 200 sccm, argon (Ar) at a rate of 20 to 200 sccm(i.e., a CF₄:Ar flow ratio ranging from 1:10 to 10:1), applying power toan inductively coupled antenna between 200 to 1500 W, applying a cathodebias power between 20 and 150 W, and maintaining a wafer temperaturebetween 50 and 200 degrees Celsius at a pressure in the process chamberbetween 2 and 20 mTorr. One process recipe provides CF₄ at a rate of 120sccm, Ar at a rate of 120 sccm (i.e., a CF₄:Ar flow ratio of about 1:1),applies 360 W of power to the antenna, 60 W of a bias power, maintains awafer temperature of 80 degrees Celsius, and maintains a pressure of 4mTorr.

In another embodiment wherein the hard mask layer 308 is formed from acarbon-based material, the hard mask layer 308 may be etched byproviding hydrogen bromide (HBr) at a rate of 20 to 200 sccm, oxygen(O₂) at a rate of 10 to 40 sccm (i.e., a HBr:O₂ flow ratio ranging from1:2 to 20:1), and argon (Ar) at a rate of 20 to 200 sccm, applying powerto an inductively coupled antenna between 200 to 1500 W, applying acathode bias power between 50 and 200 W, and maintaining a wafertemperature between 50 and 200 degrees Celsius at a pressure in theprocess chamber between 2 and 20 mTorr. One process recipe provides HBrat a rate of 60 sccm, O₂ at a rate of 26 sccm, (i.e., a HBr: O₂ flowratio of about 2.3:1), and Ar at a rate of 60 sccm, applies 600 W ofpower to the antenna, 60 W of a bias power, maintains a wafertemperature of 80 degrees Celsius, and maintains a pressure of 4 mTorr.

At optional step 220, the photoresist mask 310 is removed from the hardmask layer 308, as shown in FIG. 3E. In one embodiment, the photoresistmask 310 may be removed contemporarily with the etching of the hard masklayer 308 at step 218. In another embodiment, the photoresist mask 310may be removed in-situ the second processing chamber 112 in that thehard mask etching step 218 was performed. For example, a photoresistmask 310 may be removed in-situ the hard mask etch chamber by exposureto an oxygen containing plasma. In another embodiment, the photoresistmask 310 may be removed in the fourth processing chamber 116 configuredas a stripping chamber that provides a plasma containing oxygen, whichmay be formed with in the processing chamber or provided by a remoteplasma source.

The photoresist mask 310 may alternatively be left on the film stack300. The photoresist mask 310 will eventually be consumed duringsubsequent etch processes, or be removed with the patterned hard masklayer 308 at step 226 as described below.

At step 222, the substrate 112 is transferred from the second processingchamber 112 to the third processing chamber 114 wherein the chromiumlayer 304 is etched using the patterned hard mask layer 308 as an etchmask, at step 224. FIG. 3F depicts the film stack 300 with the chromiumlayer 304 etched. In one embodiment, the etch step 224 utilizes a plasmaformed from one or more halogen containing process gases introduced intothe process chamber 114. Exemplary process gases may include one or moreof a fluorocarbon gas, Cl₂, HBr, HCl, CF₄ and CHF₃, among others. Theprocessing gas may also include O₂. The processing gas may furtherinclude an inert gas, such as He, Ar, Xe, Ne, and Kr.

In another embodiment, the chromium layer 304 is etched at step 224 byproviding CF₄ at a rate of 2 to 50 standard cubic centimeters per minute(sccm) and CFH₃ at a rate of 10 to 50 sccm. One specific process recipeprovides CF₄ at a rate of 9 sccm, CHF₃ at a rate of 26 sccm. Thepressure in the process chamber is controlled to less than about 40mTorr, and in one embodiment, between about 1.5 and about 15 mTorr.

In another embodiment of the chromium etch step 224, a pulsed bias powerof less than about 600 W is applied to the support pedestal 124 to biasthe substrate 122. In a first example, the substrate 112 is biased witha pulsed RF power of less than about 150 W, and in a second example, thesubstrate 112 is biased with a pulsed RF of about 10 W. The bias powermay be pulsed with a frequency and duty cycle as described above, forexample, with a frequency in the range of about 1 to about 10 kHz, andwith a duty cycle between about 10 to about 95 percent. The pulsed biaspower may be DC and/or RF. In another embodiment, the biasing source 140is provides pulsed RF power between about 10 to about 150 W, at afrequency between about 2 to about 5 kHz, with a duty cycle betweenabout 80 to about 95 percent. In yet another embodiment, the biasingsource provides a pulsed RF power of about 10 W.

During step 224, plasma, formed from the process gases, is maintained byapplying RF power of between about 250 to about 600 W from the plasmapower source 112 to the antenna 110. It is contemplated that the plasmamay be ignited by any number of methods.

The chromium layer 304 exposed on the substrate 122 through thepatterned hard mask layer 306 is etched until an endpoint is reached.The endpoint may be determined by time, optical interferometry, chambergas emission spectrography or by other suitable methods.

In another embodiment of the chromium etch step 224, a pulsed bias powerof less than about 600 W is applied to the support pedestal to bias thesubstrate 122. In a first example, the substrate 112 is biased with aplused RF power of less than about 150 W, and in a second example, thesubstrate 112 is biased with a pulsed RF of about 10 W. The bias powermay be pulsed with a frequency and duty cycle as described above, forexample, with a frequency in the range of about 1 to about 10 kHz, andwith a duty cycle between about 10 to about 95 percent. The pulsed biaspower may be DC and/or RF. In another embodiment, the biasing source 140is provides pulsed RF power between about 10 to about 150 W, at afrequency between about 2 to about 5 kHZ, with a duty cycle betweenabout 80 to about 95 percent. In yet another embodiment, the biasingsource provides a pulsed RF power of about 10 W.

During step 224, plasma, formed from the process gases, is maintained byapplying RF power of between about 250 to about 600 W from the plasmapower source to the antenna. It is contemplated tha the plasma may beignited by any number of methods.

The chrominum layer 304 exposed on th substrate 122 through thepatterned hard mask layer 308 is etched until an endpoint is reached.The endpoint may be determined by time, optical interferometry, chambergas emission spectrography or by other suitable methods.

At step 226, the hard mask layer 306 is removed to form a photomask 320.In one embodiment, the hard mask layer 306 may be removed contemporarilywith the etching of the chromium layer 304 at step 242. For example, ahard mask layer 306 fabricated from SiON will be etched at a rate closeto the rate of the chromium layer. Thus, by depositing the SION hardmask layer to a thickness equal to or slightly greater than a thicknessof the chromium layer, substantially all of the SiON hard mask layerwill be removed while etching the chromium layer. A short overetchperiod may be required to clear the remaining hard mask layer 306.

In another embodiment, the hard mask layer 308 may be removed in-situthe third processing chamber 114 in which the etching step 224 wasperformed. For example, a hard mask layer 308 fabricated from a carbonmaterial may be removed by exposure to an oxygen containing plasmain-situ the third chamber 114 following the chromium layer etch.

In another embodiment, the hard mask layer 308 may be removed in thefourth processing chamber 116 after a transfer step 228. In thisembodiment, the fourth processing chamber 116 may be configured as astripping chamber that provide a plasma containing oxygen, which may beformed within the processing chamber or provided by a remote plasmasource.

In an embodiment having an α-carbon hard mask layer 308, the hard masklayer 308 may be removed (or stripped) from the film stack 300 usingplasma containing oxygen. In another embodiment, an α-carbon hard masklayer 308 is removed using a plasma formed from hydrogen bromide andoxygen. A HBr:O₂ flow ratio may range between about 1:10 to 10:1. Argonmay also be present in the plasma. In another embodiment, the plasma isenergized with a source power of 200 to 1000 W and a bias power of 0 to300 W, while the temperature of the substrate is maintained betweenabout 20 to about 80 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, a plasma formedfrom hydrogen (H₂) or a mixture of oxygen and a diluent gas such asargon (Ar) may be used to removed the α-carbon film hard mask layer 308.

After the hard mask removal step 226, the substrate 122 (now fabricatedinto the photomask 320) is transferred through the load lock chamber 106to the factory interface 102 at step 230. In the factory interface 102,the substrate 122 is loaded into one of the FOUP's 108 at step 234, orinto the metrology module 126 at an optional step 232.

In the metrology module 126 the critical dimensions CDs of the photomask320 may be measured. CD measurement information may be utilized as afeedback to modify photoresist patterning on incoming substrates forphotomask processing, as a feed forward to modify etching and/orlithographic processing on production substrates that utilize thephotomask 320, and/or to monitor quality and/or process control, amongothers. After the metrology step 232, the substrate is loaded into oneof the FOUP's 108 at step 232.

Optionally, the substrate 112 may be further processed as illustrated inthe flow diagram of FIG. 4 that depicts one embodiment of a method 400of fabricating a phase shift photomask 340 as shown in FIGS. 3G-J inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The method400 may begin after hard mask stripping step 226 or the metrology step232 of the sequence described in the method 200 above.

The method 400 begins step 402 by transferring the substrate to one ofthe FOUP's 108. At step 404, the substrate 122 is removed from thesystem 100 to have a second patterned photoresist mask 321 formed on thefilm stack 300 as shown in FIG. 3H. At step 406, the substrate 122having the patterned photoresist mask 320 disposed thereon is returnedto the system 100.

Optionally, the substrate 122 having the patterned photoresist mask 320disposed thereon may be transferred from the FOUP 108 to the metrologymodule 126, at step 408. In the metrology module 126, the dimensions ofstructures defining the photoresist mask 320 are measured at step 410.CD measurements of the photoresist mask 320 may be taken and utilized asdescribed above.

At step 412, the substrate 122 having the patterned photoresist mask 320disposed thereon is transferred from the FOUP 108 (or metrology module126) to the one of the process chamber 112, 114, 116 through one of theload lock chambers 106. At step 414, the quartz layer 302 is etchedusing the patterned photoresist mask 320 layer as an etch mask.

In one embodiment, the etch step 414 utilizes a plasma formed from oneor more fluorinated process gases. Exemplary process gases may includeCF₄ and CHF₃, among others. The processing gas may further include aninert gas, such as He, Ar, Xe, Ne, and Kr. During etching of the quartzlayer 302, the bias power applied to the substrate may be pulsed asdescribed above.

The endpoint of the quartz etch step 414 is selected such that a depth330 of an etched quartz trench 322 illustrated in FIG. 3I is about equalto the length of 180 degrees phase shift through the quartz layer 302for a predefined wavelength of light intended for use with the quartzphase shift mask. Typical wavelengths are 193 and 248 nm. Thus, thedepth 322 is typically about either 172 or 240 nm, although other depthsmay be utilized for masks intended for use with different lithographiclight wavelengths. After the quartz trench 322 is etched at step 414,the photoresist mask 340 is removed at step 416, for example, by ashing,such that the remaining film stack 300 forms a quartz phase shift mask320 as shown in FIG. 3J.

After the photoresist mask removal step 416, the substrate 122 (nowfabricated into the photomask 340) is transferred through the load lockchamber 106 to the factory interface 102 at step 418. In the factoryinterface 102, the substrate 122 is loaded into one of the FOUP's 108 atstep 424, or into the metrology module 422 at an optional step 230.

In the metrology module 126 the critical dimensions CDs of the photomask340 may be measured. CD measurement information may be utilized as afeedback to modify photoresist patterning on incoming substrates forphotomask processing, as a feed forward to modify etching and/orlithographic processing on production substrates that utilize thephotomask 340, and/or to monitor quality and/or process control, amongothers. After the metrology step 226, the substrate is loaded into oneof the FOUP's 108 at step 232.

FIG. 5 depicts a chemical vapor deposition chamber 500 that may beutilized as the first processing chamber 110 in the system 100 ofFIG. 1. The chamber 500 coupled to a chamber body 502 having a substratesupport 518 disposed within a processing region 512.

The exemplary chamber body 502 generally includes a lid 506, a bottom508 and sidewalls 510. An exhaust port 546 disposed through the chamberbody 502 and couples the processing region 512 to a pumping system 530.Typically, the exhaust port 546 is disposed through the bottom 508 ofthe chamber body 502, but may be located in other portions of thechamber body 502. The pumping system 530 generally includes a throttlevalve and vacuum pump (both not shown) utilized to evacuate interiorregion 512 of the chamber body 502, remove deposition by-products andcontrol the pressure within the chamber body 502.

A showerhead 520 is coupled to the lid 506 to provide uniformdistribution of gas provided from a gas panel 526 to the processingregion 512 of the chamber body 502. In one embodiment for depositing acarbon containing head mask layer, the gas panel 526 provided one ormore hydrocarbon compounds, or derivatives thereof, to the processingchamber 500. Additionally, oxygen containing and/or fluorine containingcompounds may be used. The hydrocarbon compounds may optionally containnitrogen or be deposited with a nitrogen-containing gas, such asammonia. Also, the hydrocarbon compounds may have substituents such asfluorine and oxygen. One hydrocarbon compound or its derivative that maybe utilized has a formula C_(A)H_(B)O_(C)F_(D), where A has a range ofbetween 1 and 24, B has a range of between 0 and 50 , C has a range of 0to 10, D has a range of 0 to 50 ,and the sum of B and D is at least 2.

The showerhead 520 is coupled to an RF power source 522 and matchingcircuit 524. The power source 522 is generally capable of producing anRF signal having a frequency in the about 10 MHz to about 3 GHz rangeand a power between about 0 and 10,000 Watts. In one embodiment, thesource 522 is capable of producing an RF signal having a frequency ofabout 60 MHz. The RF energy, supplied by the source 522 to theshowerhead 520, is used to facilitate dissociation and ionization ofgases in the plasma, which generally facilitates lower processingtemperatures with increased deposition rates. A dielectric isolator 538is disposed between the showerhead 520 and the lid 506 of the chamberbody 502 to electrically isolate the RF hot showerhead 520 from thechamber body 502. Plasma enhanced processing also provides additionalprocess flexibility and provides a capability for the system 500 to beused for varied types of deposition processes.

A cleaning agent generator 528 may also be coupled through theshowerhead to the processing region 512. In one embodiment, the cleaningagent generator 528 provides a cleaning agent, such as atomic fluorine,that removes unwanted deposition and other contaminants from the chambercomponents. One such generator is available from Azte Corporation.

The substrate support (cathode) 518 is coupled through a matchingnetwork 596 to bias sources 592, 594. The bias sources 592, 594 providesignals having frequencies of between about 50 kHz to about 100 MHz andrespective power of between about 0 and about 10,000 Watts. The RFenergy, supplied the cource 522 to the showerhead 520, is used tofacilitate dissociation and ionization of gases in the plasma, whichgenerally facilitates lower processing temperatures with increaseddeposition rates. A dielectric isolator 538 is disposed between theshowerhead 520 and the lid 506 of the chamber body 502 to electricallyisolate the RF hot showerhead 520 from the chamber body 502. Plasmaenhanced processing also provides additional process flexibility andprovides a capability for the system 500 to be used for varied types ofdeposition processes.

The electrode 590 is generally coupled to a pair of RF bias sources 592,594 through a matching network 596. The bias sources 592, 594 aregenerally capable of producing an RF signal having a frequency of fromabout 50 kHz to about 27 MHz and a power of between about 0 and about1,000 Watts. The matching network 596 matches the impedance of thesources 592, 594 to the plasma impedance. A single feed 598 couplesenergy from both sources to the electrode 590 disposed in the substratesupport 518. Alternatively, each source 592, 594 can be coupled to theelectrode 590 via a separate feed.

The reticle adapter 582 retains the substrate 122 on the substratesupport 518. The reticle adapter 582 may be fabricated from aluminum oraluminum oxide, or other suitable material.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a reticle adapter582. The reticle adapter 582 generally includes a capture ring 602 and acover ring 604. Together, the capture ring 602 and the cover ring 604define a substrate receiving pocket 612.

The cover ring 604 generally covers and protects the upper surface ofthe substrate support 518 from deposition. The cover ring 604 includes aplurality of holes 620 that allow lift pins 608 to selectively projecttherethrough, thereby lifting the capture ring 604 from the cover ring602. The cover ring 602 a raised alignment feature 610 that functionsboth the provide one boundary of the substrate receiving pocket 612 andan alignment feature that engages the capture ring 602 when the capturering is in a lower position.

The capture ring 602 includes an arcuate base plate 606 having general“C-shape” having an inner edge 614 that defines a portion of thesubstrate receiving pocket 612. One or more of substrate supports, suchas support ledges 616, 618 are disposed on the inner edge 614. Thesubstrate supports ledges 616, 618 allow the capture ring 602 to liftthe substrate 122 from the cover ring 602 when lifted by the lift pins608. An open end 622 of “C-shape” base plate 606 facilitates the bladeof a robot (not shown) to exchange the substrate 122 with the raisedcapture ring 602.

Returning to FIG. 5, the substrate support 518 is coupled to a liftmechanism 552 that controls the elevation of the substrate support 518relative to the showerhead 520. The substrate support 518 may be loweredby the lift mechanism 552 to facilitate substrate transfer throughsubstrate access port (not shown) disposed in the sidewalls 510 of thechamber body 502. Conversely, the substrate support 518 may be raisedtowards the showerhead 520 to set a gap (or spacing) between thesubstrate 122 and the showerhead 520. Bellows 550 are coupled betweenthe lift mechanism 552 and the chamber bottom 508 to prevent vacuumleakage.

In operation, the substrate 122 is disposed in the processing chamber500 on the substrate support 518. A process gas is introduced into thechamber body 502 through the showerhead 520 from the gas panel 526. Inone embodiment, the RF source 522 provides about 600 Watts of RF voltageat 13.56 MHz to the showerhead 520, thereby exciting the gas inside thechamber body 502 and forming a plasma 599. The RF bias source 592 isselected to generate power at a frequency of about 2 MHz and the RF biassource 594 is selected to generate power at a frequency of about 13.56MHz. The RF bias sources bias sources 592, 594 provide up to about 1,000Watts of total RF power in a predetermined power ratio from the biassource 592 to the bias source 594 of between 1:0 and 0:1. These RF biassources 592, 594 provide bias power that both self-biases the substrateand modulates the plasma sheath. Adjusting the ratio between the biassources 592, 594 controls the characteristics of the plasma, whichenables the properties of the deposited film to be engineered. Forexample, a SiON or carbon containing hard mask layer may be deposited ina manner that reduces the stress of the deposited film, therebyimproving adhesion between the hard mask film and an underlying layer,such as a chromium containing layer. One carbon containing hard masklayer deposition process that may be adapted to benefit from theapplication of dual frequency bias is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/065,464, filed Feb. 24, 2005, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the frequencies on the electrode 590 are selectedsuch that they are of a low enough frequency so as to provide a strongself-biasing sheath in the plasma discharge above the powered surface.The first frequency provides a broad ion energy distribution (i.e.,lower frequency). The second frequency provides a peaked, well definedion energy distribution (i.e., higher frequency). Typically, the firstfrequency is selected such that it's cycle time is much larger than thetransit time of an ion in the sheath, while the second frequency isselected such that it's period approaches or surpasses the transit timeof the ion in the sheath. These frequencies are also selected such thatwhen used in conjunction with a third power source provided by anindependently driven electrode (e.g., the showerhead 520), they are notthe primary power contributor for plasma ionization and dissociation.

The combined applied voltage of the two frequency sources is used tocontrol the peak-to-peak sheath voltage as well as the self-biased DCpotential that is used for driving the deposition process. The mixing ofthe two frequencies is used to tune the energy distribution about thisaverage acceleration generated by this DC potential. Thus, utilizing aplasma enhanced processing chamber with a dual frequency cathode asdescribed above, the ion energy distribution within the plasma can becontrolled in a manner that enables film properties, such as stress andadherence, to be engineered by tuning the bias frequency.

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an etch reactor700 suitable for use as one of the processing chambers 712, 714, 716.Suitable reactors that may be adapted for use with the teachingsdisclosed herein include, for example, the Decoupled Plasma Source(DPS®) II reactor, or the Tetra I and Tetra II Photomask etch systems,all of which are available from Applied Materials, Inc. of Santa Clara,Calif. The particular embodiment of the etch reactor 700 shown herein isprovided for illustrative purposes and should not be used to limit thescope of the invention.

The etch reactor 700 generally comprises a process chamber 702 having asubstrate pedestal 724 within a conductive body (wall) 704, and acontroller 746. The chamber 702 has a substantially flat dielectricceiling 708. Other modifications of the chamber 702 may have other typesof ceilings, e.g., a dome-shaped ceiling. An antenna 710 is disposedabove the ceiling 708. The antenna 710 comprises one or more inductivecoil elements that may be selectively controlled (two co-axial elements710 a and 710 b are shown in FIG. 7). The antenna 710 is coupled througha first matching network 714 to a plasma power source 712. The plasmapower source 712 is typically capable of producing up to about 3000Watts (W) at a tunable frequency in a range from about 50 kHz to about13.56 MHz. In one embodiment, the plasma power source 712 provides about300 to about 600 W of inductively coupled RF power.

The substrate pedestal (cathode) 724 is coupled through a secondmatching network 742 to a biasing power source 740. The biasing source740 provides between about zero to about 600 W at a tunable pulsefrequency in the range of about 1 to about 10 kHz. The biasing source740 produces pulsed RF power output. Alternatively, the biasing source740 may produce pulsed DC power output. It is contemplated that thesource 740 may also provide a constant power output.

In one embodiment, the biasing source 740 is configured to provide RFpower less than about 700 Watts at a frequency between about 1 to about10 kHz, with a duty cycle between about 10 to about 95 percent. Inanother embodiment, the biasing source 740 is configured to provide RFpower between about 20 to about 150 Watts, at a frequency between about2 to about 5 kHz, with a duty cycle between about 80 to about 95percent.

In one embodiment as in a DPS® II reactor, the substrate supportpedestal 724 may include an electrostatic chuck 760. The electrostaticchuck 760 comprises at least one clamping electrode 732 and iscontrolled by a chuck power supply 766. In alternative embodiments, thesubstrate pedestal 724 may comprise substrate retention mechanisms suchas a susceptor clamp ring, a mechanical chuck, and the like.

A gas panel 720 is coupled to the process chamber 702 to provide processand/or other gases to the interior of the process chamber 702. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the gas panel 720 is coupled to one ormore inlets 716 formed in a channel 718 in the sidewall 704 of thechamber 702. It is contemplated that the one or more inlets 716 may beprovided in other locations, for example, in the ceiling 708 of theprocess chamber 702.

In one embodiment, the gas panel 720 is adapted to provide fluorinatedprocess gas through the inlets 716 and into the interior of the processchamber 702. During processing, a plasma is formed from the process gasand maintained through inductive coupling of power from the plasma powersource 712. The plasma may alternatively be formed remotely or ignitedby other methods. In one embodiment, the process gas provided from thegas panel 720 includes at least CHF₃ and/or CF₄. Other fluorinated gasesmay include one or more of C₂F, C₄F₆, C₃F₈ and C₅F₈.

The pressure in the chamber 702 is controlled using a throttle valve 762and a vacuum pump 764. The vacuum pump 764 and throttle valve 762 arecapable of maintaining chamber pressures in the range of about 1 toabout 20 mTorr.

The temperature of the wall 704 may be controlled usingliquid-containing conduits (not shown) that run through the wall 704.Wall temperature is generally maintained at about 65 degrees Celsius.Typically, the chamber wall 704 is formed from a metal (e.g., aluminum,stainless steel, and the like) and is coupled to an electrical ground706. The process chamber 702 also comprises conventional systems forprocess control, internal diagnostic, end point detection, and the like.Such systems are collectively shown as support systems 754.

A reticle adapter 782 is used to secure a substrate (such as a reticleor other workpiece) 722 onto the substrate support pedestal 724. Thereticle adapter 782 generally includes a lower portion 784 milled tocover an upper surface of the pedestal 724 (for example, theelectrostatic chuck 760) and a top portion 786 having an opening 788that is sized and shaped to hold the substrate 722. The opening 788 isgenerally substantially centered with respect to the pedestal 724. Theadapter 782 is generally formed from a single piece of etch resistant,high temperature resistant material such as polyimide ceramic or quartz.A suitable reticle adapter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,217,issued on Jun. 26, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference. An edgering 726 may cover and/or secure the adapter 782 to the pedestal 724.

A lift mechanism 738 is used to lower or raise the adapter 782, andhence, the substrate 722, onto or off of the substrate support pedestal724. Generally, the lift mechanism 738 comprises a plurality of liftpins (one lift pin 730 is shown) that travel through respective guideholes 736.

In operation, the temperature of the substrate 722 is controlled bystabilizing the temperature of the substrate pedestal 724. In oneembodiment, the substrate support pedestal 724 comprises a heater 744and an optional heat sink 728. The heater 744 may be one or more fluidconduits configured to flow a heat transfer fluid therethrough. Inanother embodiment, the heater 744 may include at least one heatingelement 734 that is regulated by a heater power supply 768. Optionally,a backside gas (e.g., helium (He)) from a gas source 756 is provided viaa gas conduit 758 to channels that are formed in the pedestal surfaceunder the substrate 722. The backside gas is used to facilitate heattransfer between the pedestal 724 and the substrate 722. Duringprocessing, the pedestal 724 may be heated by the embedded heater 744 toa steady-state temperature, which in combination with the heliumbackside gas, facilitates uniform heating of the substrate 722.

FIG. 8 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary ashing reactor 800 ofthe kind that may be used as a fourth 114 processing chamber when adedicated chamber for mask removal is desired. An example of a suitableashing reactor is described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/264,664, filed Oct. 4, 2002, which is herein incorporated byreference. Salient features of the reactor 800 are briefly describedbelow.

The reactor 800 reactor comprises a process chamber 802, a remote plasmasource 806, and a controller 808. The process chamber 802 generally is avacuum vessel, which comprises a first portion 810 and a second portion812. In one embodiment, the first portion 810 comprises a substratepedestal 804, a sidewall 816 and a vacuum pump 814. The second portion812 comprises a lid 818 and a gas distribution plate (showerhead) 820,which defines a gas mixing volume 822 and a reaction volume 824. The lid818 and sidewall 816 are generally formed from a metal (e.g., aluminum(Al), stainless steel, and the like) and electrically coupled to aground reference 860.

The substrate pedestal 804 supports a substrate (wafer) 826 within thereaction volume 824. In one embodiment, the substrate pedestal 804 maycomprise a source of radiant heat, such as gas-filled lamps 828, as wellas an embedded resistive heater 830 and a conduit 832. The conduit 832provides a gas (e.g., helium) from a source 834 to the backside of thewafer 826 through grooves (not shown) in the wafer support surface ofthe pedestal 804. The gas facilitates heat exchange between the supportpedestal 804 and the wafer 826. The temperature of the wafer 826 may becontrolled between about 20 and 400 degrees Celsius.

The vacuum pump 814 is adapted to an exhaust port 836 formed in thesidewall 816 of the process chamber 802. The vacuum pump 814 is used tomaintain a desired gas pressure in the process chamber 102, as well asevacuate the post-processing gases and other volatile compounds from thechamber. In one embodiment, the vacuum pump 814 comprises a throttlevalve 838 to control a gas pressure in the process chamber 802.

The process chamber 802 also comprises conventional systems forretaining and releasing the wafer 826, detecting an end of a process,internal diagnostics, and the like. Such systems are collectivelydepicted as support systems 840.

The remote plasma source 806 comprises a power source 846, a gas panel844, and a remote plasma chamber 842. In one embodiment, the powersource 846 comprises a radio-frequency (RF) generator 848, a tuningassembly 850, and an applicator 852. The RF generator 848 is capable ofproducing of about 200 to 5000 W at a frequency of about 200 to 700 kHz.The applicator 852 is inductively coupled to the remote plasma chamber842 and energizes a process gas (or gas mixture) 864 to a plasma 862 inthe chamber. In this embodiment, the remote plasma chamber 842 has atoroidal geometry that confines the plasma and facilitates efficientgeneration of radical species, as well as lowers the electrontemperature of the plasma. In other embodiments, the remote plasmasource 806 may be a microwave plasma source, however, the strippingrates are generally higher using the inductively coupled plasma.

The gas panel 844 uses a conduit 866 to deliver the process gas 864 tothe remote plasma chamber 842. The gas panel 844 (or conduit 866)comprises means (not shown), such as mass flow controllers and shut-offvalves, to control gas pressure and flow rate for each individual gassupplied to the chamber 842. In the plasma 862, the process gas 864 isionized and dissociated to form reactive species.

The reactive species are directed into the mixing volume 822 through aninlet port 868 in the lid 818. To minimize charge-up plasma damage todevices on the wafer 826, the ionic species of the process gas 864 aresubstantially neutralized within the mixing volume 822 before the gasreaches the reaction volume 824 through a plurality of openings 870 inthe showerhead 820.

While the foregoing is directed to the illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may bedevised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow.

1. A method of fabricating a photomask, comprising: transferring asubstrate in a processing system having a first processing chamber and asecond processing chamber coupled to a transfer chamber having a vacuumenvironment to the first processing chamber, the substrate comprising afilm stack having a quartz layer, chromium layer disposed on the quartzlayer, a hardmask layer disposed on the chromium layer, and a patternedphotoresist layer formed on the hardmask layer; etching the hard masklayer using the patterned photoresist layer as an etch mask in the firstprocessing chamber; etching the chromium layer using the patterned hardmask layer as an etch mask in the second processing chamber; removingthe hard mask layer in-situ the second processing chamber; forming asecond patterned photoresist layer on the chromium layer; etchingapertures through the chromium layer to expose the quartz layer usingthe second patterned photoresist layer as an etch mask; and etching thequartz layer through the apertures formed through the chromium layer toform a quartz phase shift photomask.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: measuring critical dimensions of a first feature formed onthe photoresist layer using a metrology module residing within thesystem; and measuring a critical dimension of a second feature formed onat least one of the hard mask layer or the chromium layer.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the removing the hard mask layer in-situ the secondprocessing chamber further comprises: consuming the hard mask layerusing a plasma containing oxygen after etching the chromium layer.